Information processing apparatus and information processing system

ABSTRACT

An example of an information processing apparatus is portable and performs predetermined processing in accordance with a user operation. The information processing apparatus includes: a plate-like housing so shaped that a thickness of an upper side surface of the housing is greater than a thickness of a lower side surface of the housing such that the closer to the lower side surface, the thinner the housing; and at least one operation button provided on the upper side surface of the housing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/085,126, filed Nov. 20, 2013, now allowed, which claims priority toJapanese Patent Application No. 2013-174092, filed on Aug. 26, 2013, theentire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The technology shown here relates to an information processing apparatusand an information processing system, and in particular, relates to aportable information processing apparatus and an information processingsystem including a portable input apparatus.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

Conventionally, there is a handheld game apparatus having a lowerhousing and an upper housing connected to each other so as to beopenable and closable in a folding manner (foldable). In the gameapparatus, display screens are provided in the lower housing and theupper housing, and various operation buttons are provided in the lowerhousing. Further, near the connection portion of the lower housing andthe upper housing, operation buttons (an L button and an R button) areprovided at the left and right ends of the upper side surface of thelower housing.

In the game apparatus, the lower housing is almost cuboid, except forthe connection portion of the lower housing and the upper housing. Then,the operation buttons at the left and right ends of the upper sidesurface are merely placed on a certain surface of the cuboid. Thus,there is room for improvement in the operability of the operationbuttons when they are operated.

Therefore, it is an object of an exemplary embodiment to provide a novelinformation processing apparatus and a novel information processingsystem. Further, it is another object of the exemplary embodiment toprovide an information processing apparatus and an informationprocessing system that have excellent operability.

To achieve the above object, the exemplary embodiment can employ, forexample, the following configurations. It should be noted that it isunderstood that, to interpret the descriptions of the claims, the scopeof the claims should be interpreted only by the descriptions of theclaims. If there is a conflict between the descriptions of the claimsand the descriptions of the specification, the descriptions of theclaims take precedence.

An exemplary configuration of an information processing apparatusaccording to the exemplary embodiment is a portable informationprocessing apparatus for performing predetermined processing inaccordance with a user operation. The information processing apparatusincludes a plate-like housing and at least one operation button. Thehousing is so shaped that a thickness of an upper side surface of thehousing is greater than a thickness of a lower side surface of thehousing such that the closer to the lower side surface, the thinner thehousing. The operation button is provided on the upper side surface ofthe housing.

Based on the above, it is possible to achieve a novel informationprocessing apparatus.

In addition, a length of a press surface of the operation button in athickness direction of the upper side surface may be almost the same asthe thickness of the upper side surface.

Based on the above, the pressing of the operation button provided on theupper side surface is facilitated.

In addition, an inclined surface may be formed on at least a part of theupper side surface, the inclined surface having a slope that is inclinedoutward and extends toward a front surface of the housing.

Based on the above, a user can stably hold the information processingapparatus. This makes it possible to prevent the user from dropping theinformation processing apparatus while operating it.

In addition, an inclined surface may be formed on the operation button,the inclined surface having a slope that is inclined outward and extendstoward a front surface of the housing.

Based on the above, it is possible to operate the operation button at apress position that facilitates the operation, and therefore possible toimprove the operability of the operation button.

In addition, inclined surfaces may be formed on at least part of a leftside surface and a right side surface of the housing, the inclinedsurfaces having slopes that are inclined outward and extend toward afront surface of the housing.

Based on the above, a user can stably hold the information processingapparatus. This makes it possible to prevent the user from dropping theinformation processing apparatus while operating it.

In addition, the inclined surfaces formed on the at least part of theleft side surface and the right side surface of the housing may beformed on almost an entirety of the left side surface and the right sidesurface of the housing.

Based on the above, the user can hold the information processingapparatus more stably. Further, the visibility of the front surface ofthe housing (for example, the visibility of a display screen provided onthe front surface) is improved.

In addition, the information processing apparatus may further include atleast one operation section. The operation section is provided on anupper side surface side on a front surface of the housing and differentfrom the operation button.

Based on the above, even when both the operation button and theoperation section are operated, it is possible to prevent the reductionin the operability.

In addition, a center of gravity of the information processing apparatusmay be set on an upper side surface side of the housing.

Based on the above, a user can stably hold the information processingapparatus. This provides an excellent operation feeling when moving theinformation processing apparatus while holding it.

In addition, the at least one operation button may be two operationbuttons provided on left and right of the upper side surface of thehousing.

In addition, the two operation buttons may be provided in left and rightend portions of the upper side surface of the housing.

Based on the above, the operability of the two operation buttonsprovided on the left and right of the upper side surface is improved.

In addition, the information processing apparatus may further include aplurality of display screens. The display screens are provided on afront surface of the housing.

Based on the above, it is possible to operate the information processingapparatus while viewing images displayed on the plurality of displayscreens provided on the front surface of the housing.

In addition, the plurality of display screens may be formed using aplurality of portions of a single display screen.

Based on the above, it is possible to greatly reduce the component costsand the production costs of the apparatus.

In addition, the operation button provided on the left may be configuredto be pressed at least in a direction from the upper side surface to thelower side surface and in a direction from left to right. The operationbutton provided on the right may be configured to be pressed at least ina direction from the upper side surface to the lower side surface and ina direction from right to left.

Based on the above, an operation of pressing the operation buttons isfacilitated.

In addition, in the operation button provided on the left, a presssurface to be pressed by a user may be formed into a curved surface thatconnects the upper side surface and a left side surface of the housing.In the operation button provided on the right, a press surface to bepressed by the user may be formed into a curved surface that connectsthe upper side surface and a right side surface of the housing.

Based on the above, each of the press surfaces is formed into a curvedsurface, and therefore is suitable for an operation of pressing theoperation button from various directions.

In addition, each of the curved surfaces may be formed into a quadrantarc.

Based on the above, each of the press surfaces is formed into a quadrantarc, and therefore is suitable for an operation of pressing theoperation button from various directions such as a vertical direction, ahorizontal direction, and an oblique direction.

In addition, the exemplary embodiment may be implemented also in theform of an information processing system including an input apparatushaving the above components.

Based on the exemplary embodiment, it is possible to achieve a novelinformation processing apparatus, a novel input apparatus, and the like.

These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of theexemplary embodiments will become more apparent from the followingdetailed description of the exemplary embodiments when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a non-limiting example of a gameapparatus 1;

FIG. 2 is a front view, a top view, and a bottom view showing anon-limiting example of the game apparatus 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view, a rear view, a left side view, and a right sideview showing a non-limiting example of the game apparatus 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of the state where auser holds the game apparatus 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a non-limiting example of the internalconfiguration of the game apparatus 1;

FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of the internalstructure of an R button 14H as viewed from the front surface side inthe state where the R button 14H is not pressed;

FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of the internalstructure of the R button 14H as viewed from the front surface side inthe state where the R button 14H has been pressed; and

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example where a lower LCD 12and an upper LCD 22 are formed using a single liquid crystal displayapparatus 200.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF NON-LIMITING EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, an information processing apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment is described. Although theinformation processing apparatus according to the exemplary embodimentcan execute any program, an example of the information processingapparatus is described using a handheld game apparatus 1 that executes agame program. It should be noted that FIGS. 1 to 4 are diagrams showingexamples of the appearance of the game apparatus 1. FIG. 1 is a frontview showing an example of the game apparatus 1. In FIG. 2, (a) is afront view of the game apparatus 1, (b) is a top view of the gameapparatus 1, and (c) is a bottom view of the game apparatus 1. In FIG.3, (a) is a front view of the game apparatus 1, (b) is a rear view ofthe game apparatus 1, (c) is a left side view of the game apparatus 1,and (d) is a right side view of the game apparatus 1. FIG. 4 is adiagram showing an example of the state where a user holds the gameapparatus 1. The game apparatus 1 includes capturing sections, and forexample, can capture an image using the capturing sections, display thecaptured image on a screen, and store data of the captured image.Further, the game apparatus 1 can execute a program (for example, a gameprogram) stored in an exchangeable memory card or received from a serveror another game apparatus, and can also display on the screen an imagegenerated by computer graphics processing, such as an image captured bya virtual camera set in a virtual space.

In FIGS. 1 to 4, the game apparatus 1 includes a housing 11 that can beheld by a user. The housing 11 is formed into a plate shape such thatthe main surface (front surface) of the housing 11 is rectangular (forexample, approximately square). Normally, the user uses the gameapparatus 1 while viewing the front surface of the game apparatus 1.Then, when not using the game apparatus 1, the user stores away the gameapparatus 1 by putting the game apparatus 1 into a power-off state or asleep state.

As an example, the following are provided outside or inside the housing11: a lower LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 12; a touch panel 13; operationbuttons 14A to 14K; an analog stick 15; a sound volume slider 16; asleep slider 17; LEDs 18A to 18D; a first card connector 19; an infraredlight receiving/emitting section 20; a second card connector 21; anupper LCD 22; an outer capturing section 23 including two capturingsections (a left outer capturing section 23 a and a right outercapturing section 23 b); an inner capturing section 24; a touch pen 28;a microphone 43; a loudspeaker 44; and the like. The details of thesecomponents are described below.

As shown in FIG. 1, the upper LCD 22 and the upper LCD 22 areaccommodated in the housing 11. The lower LCD 12 has a horizontally longshape and is placed such that the long side direction of the lower LCD12 coincides with the left-right direction of the housing 11. The lowerLCD 12 is provided on the front surface (main surface) of the housing 11and in the lower center of the housing 11. As an example, the lower LCD12 is a display device that displays an image in a planar manner (not ina stereoscopically visible manner). The upper LCD 22 has a horizontallylong shape and is placed such that the long side direction of the upperLCD 22 coincides with the left-right direction of the housing 11. Then,the upper LCD 22 is provided on the front surface (main surface) of thehousing 11 and in the upper center of the housing 11. As an example, thearea of the screen of the upper LCD 22 is set to be greater than that ofthe lower LCD 12. Specifically, the screen of the upper LCD 22 is set tobe horizontally longer than the screen of the lower LCD 12. That is, theproportion of the width in the aspect ratio of the screen of the upperLCD 22 is set to be greater than that of the lower LCD 12. Then,similarly to the lower LCD 12, the upper LCD 22 is a display device thatdisplays an image in a planar manner. It should be noted that althoughan LCD is used as a display device in the exemplary embodiment, anyother display device may be used, such as a display device usingelectroluminescence (EL). Further, a display device having anyresolution may be used as the lower LCD 12 and the upper LCD 22.

As shown in FIG. 1, the game apparatus 1 includes the touch panel 13 asan input device. The touch panel 13 is mounted so as to cover the screenof the lower LCD 12. It should be noted that in the exemplaryembodiment, the touch panel 13 may be, for example, a resistive touchpanel. The touch panel, however, may be not only a resistive touch panelbut also a touch panel of any pressure type, such as an electrostaticcapacitance type. For example, the touch panel 13 may have the sameresolution (detection accuracy) as that of the lower LCD 12. Theresolutions of the touch panel 13 and the lower LCD 12, however, may notnecessarily need to coincide with each other. Further, as shown in (b)and (d) of FIG. 3, an insertion slot for accommodating the touch pen 28is provided on the back surface of the housing 11, and the touch pen 28is accommodated in the insertion slot. An input on the touch panel 13 isnormally provided using the touch pen 28, but an input can be providedon the touch panel 13 not only by the touch pen 28 but also by a fingerof the user.

The operation buttons 14A to 14K are each an input device for the userto provide an input by performing a pressing operation. As shown in FIG.1, among the operation buttons 14A to 14K, the directional button 14A(the direction input button 14A), the operation button 14B, theoperation button 14C, the operation button 14D, the operation button14E, the power button 14F, the select button 14I, the home button 14J,and the start button 14K are provided on the front surface (mainsurface) of the housing 11. The directional button 14A has across-shaped button for indicating up, down, left, and right directions,and is provided near a central portion at the left end of the housing11. The operation button 14B (for example, an A button), the operationbutton 14C (for example, a B button), the operation button 14D (forexample, an X button), and the operation button 14E (for example, a Ybutton) are placed in a cross formation and provided in an upper portionat the right end of the housing 11 (at a position to the right of theupper LCD 22). The operation buttons 14A to 14E, the select button 14I,the home button 14J, and the start button 14K are appropriately assignedfunctions based on the program to be executed by the game apparatus 1.The directional button 14A is used for, for example, a selectionoperation. The operation buttons 14B to 14E are used for, for example, adetermination operation or a cancellation operation. The power button14F is used to turn on/off the game apparatus 1.

The analog stick 15 is an input device for indicating a direction, andis provided in an upper portion at the left end of the front surface(main surface) of the housing 11 (at a position to the left of the upperLCD 22). As shown in FIG. 1, the analog stick 15 is provided above thedirectional button 14A. The analog stick 15 and the directional button14A are provided so as to be operated with the thumb of the left handholding the housing 11 (see FIG. 4). Further, the provision of theanalog stick 15 in an upper portion on the left locates the analog stick15 at a position where the thumb of the left hand holding the housing 11is naturally placed, and also locates the directional button 14A at aposition where the thumb of the left hand shifted slightly downward fromthe analog stick 15 is placed. The key top of the analog stick 15 isconfigured to slide parallel to the front surface of the housing 11. Theanalog stick 15 functions in accordance with the program to be executedby the game apparatus 1. For example, when a game where a predeterminedobject appears in a three-dimensional virtual space is executed by thegame apparatus 1, the analog stick 15 functions as an input apparatusfor causing the predetermined object to move in the three-dimensionalvirtual space. In this case, the predetermined object is caused to movein the direction in which the key top of the analog stick 15 has slid.It should be noted that the analog stick 15 may be a component capableof providing an analog input by being tilted by a predetermined amountin any one of up, down, right, left, and diagonal directions.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, a hole for inputting a sound to themicrophone 43 is provided on the front surface of the housing 11. Themicrophone 43 is provided under the hole and detects a sound outside thegame apparatus 1. Further, holes for outputting the sound of theloudspeaker 44 to the outside of the game apparatus 1 are provided onthe front surface of the housing 11. The loudspeaker 44 is providedunder the holes and outputs a sound to the outside of the game apparatus1 through the holes.

As shown in FIG. 1, the inner capturing section 24 is provided on thefront surface of the housing 11 and functions as a capturing section ofwhich the capturing direction is the direction normal to the frontsurface and extending therefrom to the near side. The inner capturingsection 24 includes an imaging device (for example, a CCD image sensoror a CMOS image sensor) having a predetermined resolution, and a lens.The lens may have a zoom mechanism.

The inner capturing section 24 is placed above the upper end of thescreen of the upper LCD 22 and in the center of the housing 11 in theleft-right direction (on the line dividing the housing 11 (the screen ofthe upper LCD 22) into two equal left and right parts). Then, the innercapturing section 24 captures an image in the direction opposite to thatof the outer capturing section 23 described later. For example, when theuser views the upper LCD 22 or the lower LCD 12 from the front thereof,the inner capturing section 24 can capture the user's face from thefront.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first LED 18A is provided to the right of thepower button 14F on the front surface of the housing 11. The first LED18A notifies the user of the on/off state of the power supply of thegame apparatus 1. Further, the second LED 18B is provided above thefirst LED 18A on the front surface of the housing 11. The second LED 18Bnotifies the user that the game apparatus 1 is being charged. Further,the third LED 18C is provided in a right end portion of the housing 11.The third LED 18C notifies the user of the establishment state ofwireless communication of the game apparatus 1. For example, the gameapparatus 1 can communicate wirelessly with other devices, and the thirdLED 18C lights up when wireless communication is established between thegame apparatus 1 and other devices. The game apparatus 1 has thefunction of establishing connection with a wireless LAN by, for example,a method based on the IEEE 802.11.b/g/n/ac/ad standard. Further, thefourth LED 18D is provided on the front surface of the housing 11. Thefourth LED 18D lights up when the user of the game apparatus 1 isnotified of something.

As shown in FIG. 1 and (c) of FIG. 2, the sleep slider 17 is provided ina lower end portion of the housing 11. The sleep slider 17 is an inputapparatus that is operated when the user causes the game apparatus 1 totransition from a normal operation mode to a sleep mode, or totransition from the sleep mode to the normal operation mode. Forexample, the user may perform an operation of sliding the sleep slider17 while a game is being performed in the normal operation mode in thegame apparatus 1. This makes it possible to suspend the game and causethe game apparatus 1 to transition to the sleep mode, which reduces thepower consumption of the game apparatus 1. Further, the user may performan operation of sliding the sleep slider 17 while the game apparatus 1is in the sleep mode. This makes it possible to return the gameapparatus 1 to the normal operation mode and resume the game suspendedby the transition to the sleep mode.

As shown in FIG. 1, (b) of FIG. 2, and (c) and (d) of FIG. 3, the Lbutton 14G and the R button 14H are provided on the upper side surfaceof the lower housing 11. The L button 14G is provided at a position thatis the corner of a left end portion of the upper side surface and anupper end portion of the left side surface of the housing 11. Further,the R button 14H is provided at a position that is the corner of a rightend portion of the upper side surface and an upper end portion of theright side surface of the housing 11. The L button 14G and the R button14H are each an input apparatus for the user to provide an input byperforming a pressing operation, and are appropriately assignedfunctions based on the program to be executed by the game apparatus 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the L button 14G a press surface to be pressed bythe user is formed into a curved surface that connects the upper sidesurface and the left side surface of the housing 11. As an example, thecurved surface is formed into a quadrant arc. Further, in the R button14H, a press surface to be pressed by the user is formed into a curvedsurface that connects the upper side surface and the right side surfaceof the housing 11. As an example, the curved surface is formed into aquadrant arc. Then, the L button 14G and the R button 14H are configuredto be pressed at least in an up-down direction (the direction from theupper side surface to the lower side surface of the housing 11) and in aleft-right direction (the direction from the left side surface to theright side surface of the housing 11 or the direction from the rightside surface to the left side surface of the housing 11). It should benoted that the structures and the detailed shapes of the L button 14Gand the R button 14H will be described later.

As shown in (c) of FIG. 3, the sound volume slider 16 is provided on theleft side surface of the housing 11. The sound volume slider 16 is usedto adjust the volume of the sound output from the loudspeaker 44 of thegame apparatus 1.

As shown in (d) of FIG. 3, a cover section is provided on the right sidesurface of the housing 11 such that the second card connector 21 isplaced inside the cover section. The second card connector 21electrically connects the game apparatus 1 and a data storage externalmemory 46. The data storage external memory 46 is detachably attached tothe second card connector 21 by opening the cover section. The datastorage external memory 46 is used to, for example, store (save) varioustypes of data such as data of an image captured by the game apparatus 1.

As shown in (b) of FIG. 2, an insertion slot is formed on the upper sidesurface of the housing 11 such that the first card connector 19 isprovided within the insertion slot. An external memory 45 having storedtherein a game program is inserted into the insertion slot, and theexternal memory 45 and the first card connector 19 are electrically anddetachably connected to each other. The external memory 45 is connectedto the game apparatus 1, whereby the program stored in the externalmemory 45 is executed. It should be noted that in the example shown in(b) of FIG. 2, the first card connector 19 is provided in an area to theleft of the center of the upper side surface of the housing 11.

In addition, as shown in (b) of FIG. 2, the infrared lightreceiving/emitting section 20 is provided on the upper side surface ofthe housing 11. When the game apparatus 1 communicates wirelessly with agame apparatus of the same type by a predetermined communication method(for example, infrared communication), the infrared lightreceiving/emitting section 20 emits and receives infrared light to andfrom the other game apparatus. It should be noted that in the exampleshown in (b) of FIG. 2, the infrared light receiving/emitting section 20is provided in an area to the left of the center of the upper sidesurface of the housing 11 and is provided next to the first cardconnector 19 in a depth direction (the direction from the front surfaceto the back surface of the housing 11). Further, a rechargeable batterythat serves as the power supply of the game apparatus 1 is accommodatedin the housing 11. The battery can be charged through a terminalprovided on the upper side surface of the housing 11.

As shown in (b) of FIG. 3, the left outer capturing section 23 a and theright outer capturing section 23 b are provided on the back surface ofthe housing 11. The left outer capturing section 23 a and the rightouter capturing section 23 b are each set such that the capturingdirection is the depth direction (that is, the direction normal to thefront surface of the housing 11 and extending backward therefrom). Thus,the left outer capturing section 23 a and the right outer capturingsection 23 b are each set such that the capturing direction is 180degrees opposite to the direction normal to the display surface of theupper LCD 22 (and the lower LCD 12). Further, the capturing direction ofthe left outer capturing section 23 a and the capturing direction of theright outer capturing section 23 b are parallel to each other. Dependingon the program to be executed by the game apparatus 1, the left outercapturing section 23 a and the right outer capturing section 23 b can beused as a stereo camera. Alternatively, depending on the program to beexecuted by the game apparatus 1, either one of the left outer capturingsection 23 a and the right outer capturing section 23 b may be usedsolely so that the outer capturing section 23 can also be used as anon-stereo camera. Yet alternatively, depending on the program to beexecuted by the game apparatus 1, images captured by the left outercapturing section 23 a and the right outer capturing section 23 b may becombined together, or may be used to compensate for each other, so thatimages can be captured in an extended capturing range. As an example,the left outer capturing section 23 a and the right outer capturingsection 23 b each include an imaging device (for example, a CCD imagesensor or a CMOS image sensor) having a predetermined common resolution,and a lens. It should be noted that the lens may have a zoom mechanism.Further, in the exemplary embodiment, the outer capturing section 23 iscomposed of two capturing sections, namely the left outer capturingsection 23 a and the right outer capturing section 23 b. Alternatively,the outer capturing section 23 may be composed of one capturing section.Further, the capturing directions of the left outer capturing section 23a and the right outer capturing section 23 b may be set to be thedirection normal to the back surface of the housing 11.

The left outer capturing section 23 a and the right outer capturingsection 23 b are placed next to each other in the left-right directionof the game apparatus 1. That is, the left outer capturing section 23 aand the right outer capturing section 23 b are placed such that astraight line connecting the left outer capturing section 23 a and theright outer capturing section 23 b is parallel to the horizontaldirection of the screen of the upper LCD 22. Then, the left outercapturing section 23 a and the right outer capturing section 23 b areplaced symmetrically to each other with respect to the center of theupper LCD 22 in the left-right direction. That is, when the user viewsthe screen of the upper LCD 22 from the front thereof, the left outercapturing section 23 a is placed on the left, and the right outercapturing section 23 b is placed on the right. Thus, when a program isbeing executed that causes the outer capturing section 23 to function asa stereo camera, the left outer capturing section 23 a can capture aleft-eye image, which is to be viewed with the user's left eye, and theright outer capturing section 23 b can capture a right-eye image, whichis to be viewed with the user's right eye.

Next, the detailed shape of the housing 11 is described. As describedabove, the housing 11 is formed into a plate shape such that the frontsurface of the housing 11 is approximately square. More specifically, asshown in (b) and (c) of FIG. 2 and (c) and (d) of FIG. 3, the frontsurface and the back surface of the housing 11 are not parallel to eachother, and inclined surfaces and curved surfaces are formed on the leftand right side surfaces and the upper side surface of the housing 11.

For example, as shown in (c) and (d) of FIG. 3, the front surface andthe back surface of the housing 11 are placed so as to form a wedgeshape such that the front surface and the back surface intersect witheach other at an angle W°. Specifically, the housing 11 is so shapedthat the upper side surface is thicker than the lower side surface (athickness Tu of the upper side surface and a thickness Tl of the lowerside surface shown in (b) and (c) of FIG. 2; Tu>Tl) such that the closerto the lower side surface, the thinner the housing 11. Based on this,when the game apparatus 1 is placed on a horizontal surface such as adesk with the back surface of the housing 11 in contact with thehorizontal surface, the front surface of the housing 11 is positionedsuch that the upper end side is higher than the lower end side. Thisfacilitates viewing images displayed on the upper LCD 22 and the lowerLCD 12. Further, the housing 11 is formed into a wedge shape such thatthe upper side surface is thicker than the lower side surface such thatthe closer to the lower side surface, the thinner the housing 11. Thisfacilitates holding the housing 11, and therefore improves theoperability of the game apparatus 1 (see FIG. 4).

In addition, the thick formation of the upper end surface side of thehousing 11 allows the arrangement of many components on the upper endsurface side and also places the center of gravity of the game apparatus1 on the upper end surface side (the upper LCD 22 side). For example, asshown in (b) of FIG. 3, the first card connector 19 and the infraredlight receiving/emitting section 20 are placed one on top of the othernear the upper end surface of the housing 11, and the left outercapturing section 23 a is placed on top of the first card connector 19and the infrared light receiving/emitting section 20. Further, in theexemplary embodiment, also the rechargeable battery that serves as thepower source of the game apparatus 1 is placed on the upper end surfaceside of the housing 11. Thus, the center of gravity of the gameapparatus 1 is placed on the upper end surface side. The center ofgravity of the game apparatus 1 is thus placed on the upper end surfaceside of the housing 11, whereby the user can stably hold the gameapparatus 1. This provides an excellent operation feeling when movingthe game apparatus 1 while holding it.

In addition, the thick formation of the upper end surface side of thehousing 11 makes it possible to provide the L button 14G and the Rbutton 14H such that the L button 14G and the R button 14H placed on theupper end surface are large. For example, as shown in (b) of FIG. 2 andthe like, the press surfaces of the L button 14G and the R button 14Hare provided almost entirely in the thickness direction of the upper endsurface. This improves the operability of the L button 14G and the Rbutton 14H. It should be noted that the L button 14G and the R button14H may not be provided almost entirely in the thickness direction ofthe upper end surface. The size of each press surface in the thicknessdirection may be two thirds of the thickness of the upper end surface.The size of each press surface in the thickness direction may be halfthe thickness of the upper end surface. Any of these press surfaces canimprove the operability of the L button 14G and the R button 14H.

In addition, as shown in (c) and (d) of FIG. 3, the upper end surface ofthe housing 11 is placed so as to intersect with the front surface at anacute angle (an angle S2°). Specifically, the upper end surface of thehousing 11 is an inclined surface having a slope that is inclinedoutward and extends toward the front surface of the housing at an angle90−S2°. This enables the user to stably hold the game apparatus 1 by, asshown in FIG. 4, placing their fingers along the upper end surface whenholding the game apparatus 1. This makes it possible to prevent the userfrom dropping the game apparatus 1 while operating it. Further, when theuser views an image displayed on the upper LCD 22 or the lower LCD 12from the front thereof by placing the game apparatus 1 on a horizontalsurface such as a desk with the back surface of the housing 11 incontact with the horizontal surface, the upper end surface cannot beviewed. This improves the visibility of the upper LCD 22 and the lowerLCD 12. Further, as shown in (b) of FIG. 2 and (c) and (d) of FIG. 3,the inclined surface may include the press surfaces of the L button 14Gand the R button 14H. In this case, when the user presses the L button14G and the R button 14H in the up-down direction (the direction fromthe upper side surface to the lower side surface of the housing 11), theuser presses the press surfaces formed in the inclined surface. In thiscase, when the pressing of the inclined surface on the front surfaceside is compared with the pressing of the inclined surface on the backsurface side, the press positions in the up-down direction are differentby the amount of slope of the inclined surface. Thus, when, as shown inFIG. 4, the user presses the L button 14G and the R button 14H withtheir index fingers while causing both palms to abut left and right endportions of the game apparatus 1, the user can adjust the length fromthe position of each palm to the press position by the slope of theinclined surface, and therefore can operate the L button 14G and the Rbutton 14H at press positions (lengths) that facilitate the operation.

In addition, as shown in (b) and (c) of FIG. 2, each of the left andright side surfaces of the housing 11 is placed so as to intersect withthe front surface at an acute angle (an angle S1°). Specifically, theleft and right side surfaces of the housing 11 are inclined surfaceshaving slopes that are inclined outward in a V-shaped manner and extendtoward the front surface of the housing at an angle 90−S1°. This enablesthe user to stably hold the game apparatus 1 by, as shown in FIG. 4, byplacing their palms or the like along the left and right side surfaceswhen holding the game apparatus 1. This makes it possible to prevent theuser from dropping the game apparatus 1 while operating it. Further,when the user views an image displayed on the upper LCD 22 or the lowerLCD 12 from the front thereof by placing the game apparatus 1 on ahorizontal surface such as a desk with the back surface of the housing11 in contact with the horizontal surface, the left and right sidesurfaces cannot be viewed. This improves the visibility of the upper LCD22 and the lower LCD 12.

It should be noted that in the example described above, the inclinedsurfaces are formed on the entirety of the upper end surface and theleft and right side surfaces of the housing 11. It goes without saying,however, that even if the inclined surfaces are formed on part of theupper end surface and the left and right side surfaces, it is possibleto provide similar effects. For example, the upper end surface and theleft and right side surfaces may be so shaped that middle portionsbetween the back surface and the front surface protrude, and thesurfaces from the back surface side to the protruding portions areformed into inclined surfaces having the above slopes (for example,elliptical or race-track-shaped cross-sections).

As shown in FIG. 4, the above shape of the housing 11 and the abovearrangement of the input apparatuses in the housing 11 enable the userto hold the inclined surfaces formed on both side surfaces of thehousing 11 and the back surface of the housing 11 with both palms,middle fingers, ring fingers, and little fingers, such that the frontsurface of the housing 11 (that is, the lower LCD 12 and the upper LCD22) faces the user. By thus holding the housing 11, the user can performoperations on the operation buttons 14A to 14E and the analog stick 15with their thumbs, and perform operations on the L button 14G and the Rbutton 14H with their index fingers, while holding the housing 11.Particularly, the four buttons, namely the buttons 14B, 14C, 14D, and14E, are placed on the upper end surface side of the housing 11 wherethe thumb of the right hand holding the lower housing 11 is naturallyplaced. The analog stick 15 is placed on the upper end surface side ofthe housing 11 where the thumb of the left hand holding the housing 11is naturally placed. Further, these four buttons and the analog stick 15are placed symmetrically to each other with respect to the upper LCD 22in the left-right direction and are disposed at positions suitable foroperating the four buttons and the analog stick 15 while viewing theupper LCD 22. Further, since these four buttons and the analog stick 15are placed symmetrically to each other with respect to the upper LCD 22in the left-right direction, for example, a left-handed person can alsoprovide a direction indication input using these four buttons, dependingon the game program.

Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the internal configuration of the gameapparatus 1 is described. It should be noted that FIG. 5 is a blockdiagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the gameapparatus 1.

In FIG. 5, the game apparatus 1 includes electronic components such asan information processing section 31, a main memory 32, an externalmemory interface (external memory I/F) 33, data storage external memoryI/F 34, a data storage internal memory 35, a local communication module37, an acceleration sensor 39, an angular velocity sensor 40, and aninterface circuit (I/F circuit) 42, in addition to the componentsdescribed above. These electronic components are implemented on anelectronic circuit board and accommodated in the housing 11.

The information processing section 31 is information processing meansincluding a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 311 that executes apredetermined program, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) 312 thatperforms image processing, and the like. As an example, a program to beexecuted by the CPU 311 is stored in a memory (for example, an externalmemory 45 connected to the external memory I/F 33 or the data storageinternal memory 35) included in the game apparatus 1. The CPU 311executes the program, thereby performing information processing such asimage processing and game processing. It should be noted that a programto be executed by the CPU 311 may be acquired from another apparatus bycommunication with said another apparatus. The information processingsection 31 also includes a VRAM (Video RAM) 313. The GPU 312 generatesan image in accordance with a command from the CPU 311 and draws thegenerated image in the VRAM 313. Then, the GPU 312 outputs the imagedrawn in the VRAM 313 to the upper LCD 22 and/or the lower LCD 12. Thiscauses the image to be displayed on the upper LCD 22 and/or the lowerLCD 12.

The information processing section 31 is connected to the main memory32, the external memory I/F 33, the data storage external memory I/F 34,and the data storage internal memory 35. The main memory 32 is volatilestorage means used as a work area or a buffer area of the CPU 311. Thatis, the main memory 32 temporarily stores various types of data used forinformation processing, and also temporarily stores a program acquiredfrom the outside (the external memory 45, another device, or the like)of the game apparatus 1. The external memory I/F 33 is an interface fordetachably connecting the external memory 45. Further, the data storageexternal memory I/F 34 is an interface for detachably connecting thedata storage external memory 46.

The external memory 45 is non-volatile storage means for storing aprogram to be executed by the CPU 311. The external memory 45 iscomposed, for example, of a read-only semiconductor memory. Theconnection of the external memory 45 to the first card connector 19enables the CPU 311 to load a program stored in the external memory 45.The data storage external memory 46 is composed of a readable/writablenon-volatile memory (for example, a NAND flash memory) and is used tostore predetermined data. For example, the data storage external memory46 stores images captured by the outer capturing section 23 and thelike. If the data storage external memory 46 has been connected to thesecond card connector 21, the CPU 311 can load an image stored in thedata storage external memory 46, and cause the image to be displayed onthe upper LCD 22 and/or the lower LCD 12.

The data storage internal memory 35 is composed of a readable/writablenon-volatile memory (for example, a NAND flash memory) and is used tostore predetermined data. For example, the data storage internal memory35 stores data and programs acquired from another apparatus.

In addition, the acceleration sensor 39 is connected to the informationprocessing section 31. The acceleration sensor 39 detects the magnitudesof accelerations (linear accelerations) in the directions of straightlines along three axial directions set in the game apparatus 1. Theacceleration sensor 39 is provided within the housing 11. It should benoted that the acceleration sensor 39 may be an acceleration sensor fordetecting an acceleration in one axial direction, or accelerations intwo axial directions. The CPU 311 can calculate the orientation and themotion of the game apparatus 1 using data (acceleration data)representing the accelerations detected by the acceleration sensor 39.

In addition, the angular velocity sensor 40 is connected to theinformation processing section 31. The angular velocity sensor 40detects the angular velocities generated about three axes set in thegame apparatus 1. The angular velocity sensor 40 is provided within thehousing 11. The CPU 311 can calculate the orientation and the motion ofthe game apparatus 1 using angular velocity data output from the angularvelocity sensor 40.

The I/F circuit 42 is connected to the information processing section31. The microphone 43, the loudspeaker 44, and the touch panel 13 areconnected to the I/F circuit 42. The I/F circuit 42 includes: a soundcontrol circuit that controls the input from the microphone 43 and theoutput to the loudspeaker 44; and a touch panel control circuit thatcontrols the touch panel 13. For example, the sound control circuitperforms A/D conversion or D/A conversion on a sound signal and convertsthe sound signal into sound data in a predetermined format. The touchpanel control circuit generates touch position data in a predeterminedformat on the basis of a signal from the touch panel 13 and outputs thetouch position data to the information processing section 31.

The operation buttons 14A to 14K (the operation button 14), the analogstick 15, the sound volume slider 16, and the sleep slider 17 areconnected to the information processing section 31. Then, the operationbutton 14, the analog stick 15, the sound volume slider 16, and thesleep slider 17 each output an operation signal representing the stateof the input to the input apparatus (whether or not the input apparatushas been pressed, the position of the slider, or the like).

The lower LCD 12 and the upper LCD 22 are connected to the informationprocessing section 31. The lower LCD 12 and the upper LCD 22 displayimages in accordance with the instructions from the GPU 312. Further,the LEDs 18 are connected to the information processing section 31. TheLEDs 18 light up or go out in accordance with the instructions from theinformation processing section 31.

The outer capturing section 23 and the inner capturing section 24 areconnected to the information processing section 31. The outer capturingsection 23 and the inner capturing section 24 capture images inaccordance with the instructions from the information processing section31 and output the captured image data to the information processingsection 31.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the structures of the L button14G and the R button 14H are described. It should be noted that FIG. 6Ais a diagram showing an example of the internal structure of the Rbutton 14H as viewed from the front surface side in the state where theR button 14H is not pressed. FIG. 6B is a diagram showing an example ofthe internal structure of the R button 14H as viewed from the frontsurface side in the state where the R button 14H has been pressed. Toillustrate the internal structure of the R button 14H, FIGS. 6A and 6Bshow the housing 11 by omitting a part of the housing 11. Further, theinternal structure of the L button 14G is symmetrical to that of the Rbutton 14H in the left-right direction.

In FIGS. 6A and 6B, the R button 14H includes a press member 140, aspring 142, and a switch 112. The press member 140 is formed into aquadrant arc. Then, the arcuate outer peripheral surface of the pressmember 140 is exposed to the outside of the housing 11 and is disposedat a corner portion connecting the upper end surface and the right sidesurface of the housing 11. It should be noted that the press member 140does not need to be a quadrant arc, so long as the press surface of thepress member 140 is formed into a curved surface connecting the upperside surface and the right side surface of the housing 11. The pressmember 140 may be formed into an approximate quadrant arc, or aquarter-elliptical arc, or an arc obtained by cutting arace-track-shaped outer edge vertically and horizontally into quarters.

In an inner portion of the press member 140, which is not exposed to theoutside, a pivotal shaft 141, a spring support shaft 143, a switchabutment portion 144, a non-pressed-state abutment piece 145, and thelike are formed. The pivotal shaft 141 is axially supported in thehousing 11 such that the axial direction is the depth direction of thegame apparatus 1 (the direction from the front surface to the backsurface of the housing 11). The press member 140 is supported in thehousing 11 so as to be pivotable about the pivotal shaft 141. As shownin FIGS. 6A and 6B, the pivotal shaft 141 is provided at a position tothe left of an upper end portion of the press member 140, and above alower end portion of the press member 140, and above the midpoint of theupper end portion and the lower end portion. Based on this, clockwisemoment of force is applied to the press member 140 about the pivotalshaft 141 even if the outer peripheral surface of the press member 140has been pressed in any direction, for example, if the outer peripheralsurface of the press member 140 has been pressed from above (pressed inthe direction from the upper end surface to the lower end surface; adirection A shown in FIG. 6B), or if the lower end side of the outerperipheral surface has been pressed from the side (in the direction fromthe right side surface to the left side surface; a direction B shown inFIG. 6B), or if the outer peripheral surface has been pressed fromobliquely above (in the direction from the corner of the upper endsurface and the right side surface to the corner of the lower endsurface and the left end surface; a direction C shown in FIG. 6B). Thus,even if the press member 140 has been pressed in any direction, thepress member 140 pivots clockwise about the pivotal shaft 141.

The spring support shaft 143 is provided so as to stand downward on theinner surface of the press member 140, and the spring 142 is providedaround the outer periphery of the spring support shaft 143. The spring142 is supported in the housing 11 by being loosely inserted into aspring support case 111 while being provided around the spring supportshaft 143. The spring support case 111 is provided fixedly within thehousing 11. Based on this, the press member 140 is urged upward by thespring 142 and is also urged counterclockwise about the pivotal shaft141.

As shown in FIG. 6A, when the press member 140 is not being subjected toa pressing operation, the upper end portion of the press member 140,while being urged counterclockwise by the spring 142, abuts the rightend of the upper end surface of the housing 11 and is also placed at aposition where the non-pressed-state abutment piece 145 formed at thelower end of the press member 140 abuts an abutment portion 113 formednear the upper end of the right side surface of the housing 11. At thistime, the switch abutment portion 144 provided so as to stand downwardon the inner surface of the press member 140 is not in contact with theswitch 112 provided fixedly within the housing 11.

If the outer peripheral surface of the press member 140 in a non-pressedstate as shown in FIG. 6A has been pressed from above (in the directionA shown in FIG. 6B), or pressed from the side (in the direction B shownin FIG. 6B), or pressed from obliquely above (in the direction C shownin FIG. 6B), the press member 140 pivots clockwise about the pivotalshaft 141. Then, when the press member 140 is being subjected to apressing operation, the press member 140 is urged counterclockwise bythe spring 142 and pivots clockwise to a position where the lower end ofthe press member 140 abuts the upper end of the right side surface ofthe housing 11. At this time, the switch abutment portion 144 comes intocontact with the switch 112, and in accordance with the contact, theswitch 112 outputs to the information processing section 31 an operationsignal indicating that the R button 14H has been pressed.

As described above, in addition to the fact that the press surface ofthe R button 14H is formed into a quadrant arc connecting the upper endsurface and the right side surface of the housing 11, the pivotal shaftthat pivots when the button 14H has been subjected to a pressingoperation is provided at a position shifted to the left from the upperend of the press surface and also at a position above the midpoint ofthe upper end and the lower end of the press surface. Thus, the R button14H can be subjected to a press operation in various directions such asthe vertical direction from the upper side surface to the lower sidesurface, the horizontal direction from right to left, and the obliquedirection from upper right to lower left. It should be noted that the Lbutton 14G and the R button 14H may be configured to be pressed in thevertical direction, the horizontal direction, and the oblique directionwith other structures. Alternatively, the game apparatus 1 may includeonly either one of the L button 14G and the R button 14H.

It should be noted that the above embodiment describes an example of aliquid crystal display section including two screens, using the casewhere the lower LCD 12 and the upper LCD 22, physically separated fromeach other, are placed above and below each other (the case where thetwo screens correspond to upper and lower screens). The game apparatus1, however, may include a single display screen, or the structure of adisplay screen corresponding to two screens may be another structure.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the lower LCD 12 and the upper LCD 22may be formed using different areas in a single display apparatus (forexample, a single liquid crystal display apparatus 200). For example,the front surface of the housing 11 that serves as outer frames of thelower LCD 12 and the upper LCD 22 is placed on a single liquid crystaldisplay apparatus 200, and display screens of the liquid crystal displayapparatus 200 to be located within these two outer frames function asthe lower LCD 12 and the upper LCD 22. Alternatively, an LCD having adisplay size of two screens in the vertical direction may be disposed onthe front surface of the housing 11, and images to be displayed on thelower LCD 12 and the upper LCD 22 may be displayed in the upper andlower portions (that is, displayed adjacent to each other without aboundary portion between the upper and lower portions). Further, whentwo images are displayed using two divided portions in what isphysically a single screen, the touch panel 13 may be provided on theentire screen. Generally, the provision of a plurality of physicallyseparated display apparatuses may increase the component costs and theproduction costs. In contrast, different areas set in a single displayapparatus may function as a plurality of display screens, whereby it ispossible to greatly reduce the component costs and the production costsof the apparatus.

In addition, the lower LCD 12 and the upper LCD 22 may be placed on theleft and right of the front surface of the housing 11. Alternatively, ahorizontally long LCD having the same vertical length as that of thelower LCD 12 and having a horizontal length twice that of the lower LCD12 may be provided on the front surface of the housing 11, and images tobe displayed on the lower LCD 12 and the upper LCD 22 may be displayedin the left and right portions (that is, displayed adjacent to eachother without a boundary portion between the left and right portions).

In addition, in the above embodiment, the touch panel 13 is integratedwith the game apparatus 1. It goes without saying, however, that theexemplary embodiment can be achieved also with the structure where agame apparatus and a touch panel are separated from each other. Further,the touch panel 13 may be provided on the surface of the upper LCD 22.

In addition, the exemplary embodiment describes an example of theinformation processing apparatus, using the handheld game apparatus 1.Alternatively, the exemplary embodiment may be applied to a portableapparatus that does not perform information processing, or performs apart of information processing, in combination with a stationary gameapparatus. For example, the portable apparatus can be provided with adisplay screen and can output operation data based on a user operation.Then, the stationary game apparatus performs information processingbased on the operation data acquired from the portable apparatus, andoutputs an image based on the result of the information processing tothe portable apparatus. The exemplary embodiment can be applied also toan apparatus that functions as a so-called thin client terminal, whichdoes not perform information processing as described above.

In addition, the information processing apparatus according to theexemplary embodiment may be not only a game apparatus but also anyhandheld electronic device such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), amobile telephone, a personal computer, or a camera.

It should be noted that another apparatus may perform at least some ofthe processing steps in the information processing to be performed bythe information processing apparatus according to the exemplaryembodiment. For example, if the game apparatus 1 is further configuredto communicate with another apparatus (for example, another server,another game apparatus, or another mobile terminal), the other apparatusmay cooperate to perform the processing steps in the informationprocessing. Further, in the above embodiment, the information processingis performed by the CPU 311 of the game apparatus 1 executing apredetermined game program. Alternatively, some or all of theinformation processing may be performed by a dedicated circuit includedin the game apparatus 1.

Here, the above variations make it possible to achieve the exemplaryembodiment also by a system form such as cloud computing, or a systemform such as a distributed wide area network or a local area network.For example, in a system form such as a distributed local area network,it is possible to execute the processing between a stationaryinformation processing apparatus (a stationary game apparatus) and ahandheld information processing apparatus (the information processingapparatus according to the exemplary embodiment) by the cooperation ofthe apparatuses. It should be noted that, in these system forms, thereis no particular limitation on which apparatus performs the process ofeach step of the information processing. Thus, it goes without sayingthat it is possible to achieve the exemplary embodiment by sharing theprocessing in any manner.

In addition, the shape of the game apparatus 1 described above, and theshapes, the numbers, the installation positions, and the like of thedisplay apparatus and the input apparatus provided in the game apparatus1 are merely illustrative. Thus, it goes without saying that theexemplary embodiment can be achieved also with other shapes, othernumbers, and other installation positions.

In addition, the program to be executed by the game apparatus 1 may besupplied to the game apparatus 1 not only through an external storagemedium such as the external memory 45, but also through a wired orwireless communication link. Further, the program may be stored inadvance in a non-volatile storage device included in the game apparatus1. It should be noted that examples of an information storage mediumhaving stored therein the program may include CD-ROMs, DVDs, opticaldisk storage media similar to these, flexible disks, hard disks,magneto-optical disks, and magnetic tapes, as well as non-volatilememories. Alternatively, an information storage medium having storedtherein the program may be a volatile memory for storing the program. Itcan be said that such a storage medium is a storage medium readable by acomputer or the like. For example, it is possible to provide the variousfunctions described above by causing a computer or the like to load aprogram from the storage medium and execute it.

While some exemplary systems, exemplary methods, exemplary devices, andexemplary apparatuses have been described in detail above, the abovedescriptions are merely illustrative in all respects, and do not limitthe scope of the systems, the methods, the devices, and the apparatuses.It goes without saying that the systems, the methods, the devices, andthe apparatuses can be improved and modified in various manners withoutdeparting the spirit and scope of the appended claims. It is understoodthat the scope of the systems, the methods, the devices, and theapparatuses should be interpreted only by the scope of the appendedclaims. Further, it is understood that the specific descriptions of theexemplary embodiment enable a person skilled in the art to carry out anequivalent scope on the basis of the descriptions of the exemplaryembodiment and general technical knowledge. It should be understoodthat, when used in the specification, the components and the likedescribed in the singular with the word “a” or “an” preceding them donot exclude the plurals of the components. Furthermore, it should beunderstood that, unless otherwise stated, the terms used in thespecification are used in their common meanings in the field. Thus,unless otherwise defined, all the jargons and the technical terms usedin the specification have the same meanings as those generallyunderstood by a person skilled in the art in the field of the exemplaryembodiment. If there is a conflict, the specification (includingdefinitions) takes precedence.

The exemplary embodiment can provide a novel information processingapparatus and a novel information processing system, and is useful as aportable information processing apparatus, an information processingsystem including a portable input apparatus, and the like.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable information processing apparatus forperforming predetermined processing in accordance with a user operation,the information processing apparatus comprising: a plate-like housing soshaped that a thickness of an upper side surface of the housing isgreater than a thickness of a lower side surface of the housing suchthat the closer to the lower side surface, the thinner the housing; andat least one operation button provided on the upper side surface of thehousing.